Of Pakistan’s 21 airbases, 13 are classified as flying bases responsible for operational combat roles. India under Operation Sindoor disabled 11 within 48 hours, effectively incapacitating almost 80 per cent of Pakistan’s aerial combat readiness. The rapid degradation of operational runways, radar installations, hangars, and support infrastructure meant Pakistan could not sortie fighter jets or coordinate effective air defences across its territory. The remaining functional bases were either overwhelmed or forced into a defensive crouch, prioritising survival over retaliation.

This unprecedented neutralisation of air power within such a short time frame stands as a modern-day benchmark in electronic warfare, precision targeting, and coordinated air and ground operations.

The strikes were also deeply symbolic and demonstrative, they were not destructive in the sense that they did not destroy these airbases completely. They served a tactical purpose and conveyed a strategic message to the Pakistani military establishment. By selectively damaging—rather than completely destroying—critical infrastructure across Pakistan’s most fortified and high-value airbases, India showcased its capability to penetrate layered defences, gather precise intelligence, and execute strikes at will. These attacks symbolised India’s escalation of dominance and its technological edge in surveillance, missile guidance, and air superiority.

For Pakistan’s armed forces, the attacks on airbases adjacent to Islamabad (Nur Khan), nuclear storage facilities (Sargodha), and strategic forward bases (Skardu) were a stark demonstration that no asset, no matter how fortified or politically sensitive, was beyond India’s reach. It underlined a psychological shift — that India is not merely reacting but shaping the battlefield proactively.

This calibrated restraint, striking with precision while avoiding complete annihilation, left Pakistan with no viable counterstrike option, while giving space for de-escalation. It was a demonstration of a new kind of power, which used sophisticated targeting technology with intelligence and........

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